Compositions and methods to detect head and neck cancer

Abstract

Disclosed are compositions and methods to detect proteins associated with Head and Neck Cancer, generally, or more particularly, biomarkers of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). Such markers may be useful to allow individuals susceptible to HNSCC to manage their lifestyle and/or medical treatment to avoid further progression of disease.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to detect biomarkers associated with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) in an individual comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a sample from the individual; and   using a laboratory assay, measuring in the sample amount of an expression product from each of genes comprising ADAM12, CRISP3, MUC21, and MMP9.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring amount of expression products from at least one of HPV E6 and HPV E7 genes, wherein detectable expression of HPV E6 or HPV E7 is associated with the HNSCC in the individual. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the measuring of the amount of the expression products from the at least one of HPV E6 and HPV E7 genes comprises measurement of mRNA. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring amount of a normalization gene. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the normalization gene is KHDRBS1 or RPL30. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring comprises performing an immunoassay. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring comprises measurement of protein. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring comprises performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the PCR is droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring comprises using an array of expression products. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the laboratory assay is a nucleic acid assay. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nucleic acid assay is droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the laboratory assay is a peptide, polypeptide, or protein assay. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expression product is one or both of RNA or protein. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expression product is RNA. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring comprises measuring mRNA. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising measuring an amount of an expression product for at least one of the HPV E6 and HPV E7 genes and a corresponding control value for expression of HPV E6 and/or HPV E7, wherein detectable expression of HPV E6 or HPV E7 is associated with the HNSCC in the individual. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising measuring amount of a normalization gene. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the normalization gene is KHDRBS1 or RPL30. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises serum, tissue, FFPE, saliva or plasma.